MUTC Expands Membership Beyond Social Media

As Jerry Garcia might say, "What a long strange trip it's been.."

At the start of 2020, Man Up to Cancer started out as a small ragtag crew of guys who believed in changing the way men go through cancer, and that we are stronger as a pack.

Five years later, we've evolved into a thriving nonprofit organization. Still a ragtag crew, just more guys. Still the same bold mission.

Our next big change is now upon us, and I couldn't be more excited! This is something we've been discussing and working on for more than a year. 

So, what's happening, why, and how does it affect you?

Here is the thorough version. If you want the short bullet point version, click the “Key Takeaways” button to skip to the end.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

Until this point, to be considered a member of Man Up to Cancer — to attend our Gathering of Wolves and regional retreats, order a chemo care backpack, participate in one of our local chapters, attend our zoom meetings — you've been required to join our Facebook group, the Howling Place.

Beginning in April 2025, any man impacted by cancer will be able to join our crew by filling out a registration form on the MUTC website, www.manuptocancer.org. Joining the Howling Place will be optional.

All members — present and future —  will be invited to a private Members-Only website for our community. On this new site, members will be able to:

• Register for the GOW retreat and other Man Up to Cancer events

• Join one of our 40+ local chapters and participate in chapter chats

• Request a chemo care backpack

• Learn about our programs and mission

• Browse a master event calendar

• Take part in local and full organization zooms

The Howling Place group will remain open on Facebook for the foreseeable future. However, we will explore other platforms that could essentially replace the community function we all love about THP. We will keep our members posted on this next step. 

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? 

1) First off, it's the right thing to do. Men impacted by cancer should not need to be on Facebook to access our community and programs. Every week we receive messages from men who want to join MUTC but they aren't on social media. 

By changing our membership model over to our private website — and eventually creating a Man Up to Cancer app to pair with it — we can innovate, scale, and create a stronger sense of belonging for all members.

2) Secondly, we need to control our own destiny as a community. Right now we are overly dependent on Meta Platforms Inc., and its subsidiary company, Facebook. We have no ownership or control of The Howling Place group or the data shared within it. 

What would happen if our group was removed from Facebook, or changes were made that ruined the experience of our members? While Facebook has been a valuable tool, and we wouldn't be where we are without it, the risks and limitations highlight the need for our own digital space. We recognize The Howling Place has been and continues to be a vital space for conversations and support. As we transition, we will explore ways to preserve key discussions and ensure that no important connections are lost.

By building our own Members-Only website and app, we chart our own independent course and make sure we keep delivering on our mission. This new platform will enhance how members connect, offering a streamlined and secure experience.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU?

If you are already a member of The Howling Place Facebook group, you can continue to engage with others in the group just as you have been doing. The group will remain active for now, and we will provide updates if or when we transition fully to the new platform.

However, you will need to fill out the registration form when it goes live in early April. This will give you access to the Members-Only website and all the program and event functions listed above. The website will be our new information hub for programs, registrations, zooms, etc.

If you're reading this and you're not a member of The Howling Place group, all you need to do is sit tight and check back at www.manuptocancer.org in early April. When you see a button that says "Become a Member," we invite you to join us! 

There is no cost for registration, and all of our programs are free. We rely on corporate sponsorships, grants, and grassroots fundraising to keep our programs free for members, most of whom face tremendous financial challenges because of cancer. 

POINTS OF CONTACT

Change is hard. We can all agree on that. We will do our best to keep the lines of communication open. If you have questions or comments along the way, please send an email to info@manuptocancer.org. You are also welcome to reach out to the Membership Expansion Project (MEP) team. Please be patient, as we are cancer patients and survivors doing our best.

trevor@manuptocancer.org, joe@manuptocancer.org, mwkoehler@gmail.com, chris@manuptocancer.org, hope@manuptocancer.org 

I want to give a huge shout-out to the members of the MEP for their efforts in getting us to this point. I especially want to honor the contributions of the late Ryan Vieth, a beloved member who passed away on Dec. 22, 2024. Ryan was a champion of this project and was its first volunteer. Fly high Ryan, we pick up your banner and carry it forward.

Trevor Maxwell, Founder and CEO